The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-25

BALTIMORE. Md, Dec. 2i.-The follow
ing Is a literal translation from the Latin
OF the letter sent by the Catholic HER
archy OF America to Leo Kill, congratu.
lating him upon the attainment OF the
6ftieth anniversary Of his ordination to
the priesthood. The letter was presented
to the Pope today at the vatican:
"Most Holy Father-As the devotion Of
q christian people, the dignity Of your see,
and the importance OF the deeds done by
you certainly demand tho attention. tho
whole world now congratulates you on
the liftieth joyful and glorious anniversary
OF that day when you received the chris
tian priesthood. Just half a CEN
fury has elapsed since you
dedicated yourself wholly TO God
and solcmnly pledged yourself to serve in
performing the sacred rights OF his temple
in furthoring divine worship. Nor have
you ever been found wanting in the full
hllment OF your duty or your promises.
All are aware that scarcely were you adj
mitted TO the service OF the altar when
you became a model for your fellow citi-
zens in every virtue. Then, when you
were honored with the bishops attire,
nothing was nearer your heart than the
UNFOLDING and extending Of the honor and
authority OF God and the holy church by
upright laws and regulations; but when
the proyident mind Of your predecessor
appointed you to aid in carrying on the
public business OF the church, IL can
scarcely bc told with what'prudence, what
wisdom and what happy success you ac'
quilted yourself Of your charge.
"And when, at length, YOU were ele'
waited 10 that exalted position TO which
your virtue, your divinely confessed &C.
Mus and the other endowments OF youi
mind have bindcn you, you assuredly
proved, not only that the cardinals who
elected YOU. but that God himself, IN his
mercy, looked TO the good OF the church
in these evil days. For, mindful oil whal
has been done by your predecessors, nnd
walking in the footsteps OF those who,
under the same name you bear, have
with 10 great honor, occupied the chair o.
~. Peter, You have lett nothing unat
tempted 10 bring back to the pathway o
rectitude both those Of your wi flock and
those without The fold who have strayet
from christian truth. Often, indeed, have
you recalled to their minds and held
strongly before them in SOLEMN Terms th'
eternal law OF God, without the supper
Of which neither the family nor human
society, nor ever civil government itsel
can subsist; which law Though II Il
! clearer than sunlight, since IL was revealed
by uOd, ANA by the aid OF reason is mad
more manifest end better established
philosophers, wrongly No called, have nov
for three centuries striven 10 remove iron
their own minds and from the minds o
NIL nations. This they do with such In
sisicncc that there are some even amonl
Catholics who seem TO be entrapped b!
these fllacies, and TO bo hurried head
long TO ruin 10y the onset OF this growing
error.
deeply in truth, were all rejoiced
most holy father, when lately, with sucl
wisdom and success, you have asserte,
the heaven born majesty OF your See b!
reconclling d|iscorlant rulers and people
Of Europe. II seemed TO us that thos'
happy times had almost returned in which
the Roman pontir was looked upon ~ tn
father Of all princes and Of all nation
who glory ia the christian name. In cur
rying through these transactions sucl
prudence was manifested 10y you, such be
nightly, such sincere love oi peace and con
cord that Ear distant postcrity will wonde
how, out Of powerful enemies. you has,
made friends aud almost sons.
"But, when we remember the man.
benefits with which you have enriche'
the American church, We arc moved :
render you thanks with our whole soul
and would that we were fully able 10 d
40. The one thing granted Us 10 pcrforr
that We do, and today most willingly "
Join with our brethren spread throughor
the entire world. and OF this anniyersar
Of your elevation 10 the priesthood, "
: offer you our most heartfelt oongmtuli
tons. We beg for you from Almighi
!. God all happiness and prosperity, an
/. especially that he may preserve you
A long M possible for the good Of the chri
tian commonwealth. Prostrate at the fc'
of your holiness, We earnestly bcsecch Il
apostolic bcnediction."
The letter IN signed by Cardinal Gil
bOns, all the archbishops and all Il
Lishoua Ia tho country.